Hair restraint device

ABSTRACT

A hair restraint device that includes a slender circular member having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends coupled together and made of an elastic material with a composition of a range of approximately 80-85% nylon and of a range of approximately 15-20% elastane.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a hair restraint device, and more particularly relates to a hair restraint device for inhibiting bunching and snagging of hair, while also providing a personal adornment features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many hair restraint devices, e.g., hair ties, are known. Typically, hair ties are formed from material, e.g., cotton, with an elastic material embedded therein (i.e., elastic bands) or from elastic bands entirely, e.g., rubber bands. Hair ties are generally circular and are chiefly concerned only holding a user's hair in place, particularly long hair. These hair ties are used to form hair into hairstyles, such as a ponytail, and are otherwise useful in securing hair back to keep it away from the face and to give some style to a user's hair.

Most, if not all, of those known hair ties made from entirely elastic material, or having elastic material exposed to the user, create friction with the user's skin and/or hair. This problematically causes the hair ties to scratch/pull the user's skin and/or hair when placing the hair tie on, or removing it from, a user's hair, causing pain to many users. To that end, when not in use, many users also place those hair ties on their wrist area—primarily for the convenience of the user. As such, the hair ties also cause pain and discomfort when removing and placing the hair tie on the user's wrist. Many of those known rubber bands and/or hair ties are also joined together with adhesive and/or a metal closure. The joining mechanism and adhesive material also cause friction with the user's skin and/or hair causing discomfort and pain to many users when removing it off or on a user's hair and/or a user's wrist area.

While not intended, some users utilize hair ties as personal adornment or accessories to their attire. As discussed above, when some users are not utilizing their hair ties for their hair, they also, out of convenience, wear the hair ties as a bracelet-like device—or a device that surrounds a user's wrist. Bracelets can be manufactured from metal, leather, cloth, plastic or other materials and sometimes contain jewels, rocks, wood, shells, crystals, metal, and plastic hoops. Similarly to a hair tie, a bracelet has a generally circular shape. When utilized as bracelet, these known hair ties also present the same problems associated with them when used for a user's hair. Said another way, they still bunch with any hair on the user's arm(s) and are uncomfortable to remove and place from the user's arm(s). Moreover, most of these hair ties are not adaptable to be used with jewelry or other indicia that many users find advantageous. Moreover, many of those known hair ties do not have proper stitching to effectuate the needed adaptability of a hair tie that is also utilized as a bracelet.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention obviates the above-mentioned problems, by providing a hair restraint device that is fabricated from a material efficacious for inhibiting snagging and bunching of hair, whether used for a user's hair or being word as a bracelet. The aforementioned hair device also has a dual purpose of configuring into a personal adornment and is adaptable for use with jewelry. The device includes a multi-purpose, circular membered member that stretches to encircle and restrain a lock of hair, or adorn a body part or garment. The circular member includes an inner surface, chiefly for engaging the hair or body part; and an outer surface, chiefly for displaying an ornamental design. A decorative portion may attach to the circular member for further embellishment to the device. The present invention also utilized a stitch pattern that effectively produced a hair device with lace or other material to be used therewith.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a hair restraint device having a slender circular member with a first end and a second end, the first and second ends coupled together. The slender circular member also defines an aperture sized to receive a user's arm and is an elastic material with a composition of a range of approximately 80-85% nylon and of a range of approximately 15-20% elastane. This advantageously prevents or inhibits bunching and entangling with a user's hair.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the circular member is substantially planar.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a first fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge of the slender circular member. The first fringe member defines a plurality of apertures so as to generate a less dense material when compared to the slender circular member. Moreover, a second fringe member is included that extends away from, and is coupled to, a lower edge of the slender circular member, the second fringe member defining a plurality of apertures to be less dense than the slender circular member.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the first and second fringe members are substantially planar.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the first and second fringe members span circumferentially around the slender circular member.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a first fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge of the slender circular member, the first fringe member with a thickness separating an outer surface and an inner surface of the first fringe member that is greater than an average thickness separating the outer surface and inner surface of the slender circular member. The present invention may also include a second fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge of the slender circular member, the second fringe member with a thickness separating an outer surface and an inner surface of the second fringe member that is greater than the average thickness separating the outer surface and inner surface of the slender circular member.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the slender circular member is of a braided design.

In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a jewelry retention member coupled the slender circular member, the jewelry retention member having ornamental jewelry mechanically coupled thereto.

In accordance with present invention, a hair restraint device also includes a circular member having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends coupled together. The circular member is made with an elastic material having a composition of a range of approximately 80-85% nylon and of a range of approximately 15-20% elastane, has an inner surface and an outer surface, a first position with circular member encapsulating and applying pressure to at least one of a user's upper or lower limb and a user's hair, and a second position with the circular member not applying pressure to the at least one of a user's upper or lower limb and a user's hair.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to placement of an object, i.e., hair or user's arm, in the aperture defined by the hair device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective downward-looking view of a hair restraint device with a circular member in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a bottom view of the hair restraint device of FIG. 1 turned inside-out;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the hair restraint device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4-5 depict elevational left and right side views, respectively, of the hair restraint device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective downward-looking view of a hair restraint device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of the hair restraint device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 depicts a bottom view of the hair restraint device of FIG. 6 turned inside-out;

FIGS. 9-10 depict elevational left and right side views, respectively, of the hair restraint device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective downward-looking view of a hair restraint device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 depicts a top view of the hair restraint device of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view of the hair restraint device of FIG. 11 turned inside-out;

FIGS. 14-15 depict elevational left and right side views, respectively, of the hair restraint device of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective downward-looking view of a hair restraint device with jewelry in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 depicts an elevational front view of the hair restraint device of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 depicts an elevational rear view of the hair restraint device of FIG. 16; and

FIGS. 19-20 depict elevational left and right side views, respectively, of the hair restraint device of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

As referenced in FIG. 1, the present invention provides a novel and efficient hair restraint device 100 that restrains a lock of hair for manipulation and arrangement with minimal snagging and bunching to the hair. The device 100 also serves the dual purpose of creating a decorative embellishment as a personal adornment. In one embodiment, the device 100 includes a multi-purpose circular membered member with sufficient stretchability, or elasticity, to smoothly encircle and restrain a lock of hair, and decoratively adorn a body part or garment. In this manner, the device 100 creates a pleasing appearance while blending desirably with the rest of the hair.

The device 100 can be seen having a slender circular member 102 with a first end 112 and a second end 114, the first and second ends 112, 114 coupled together. In one embodiment, the first and second ends 112, 114 are sewn together. In other embodiments, the ends 112, 114 are attached together with adhesive or other means. Advantageously, the circular member 102 is made with an elastic material that has a composition of a range of approximately (+/−5%) 80-85% nylon and of a range of approximately (+/−5%) 15-20% elastane. The circular member 102 may have other material embodied therein without deviating from the above ranges, e.g., satin, and/or silk, and/or polyester. The range of nylon and elastane advantageously produces a material that prevents or inhibits tangling and bunching with a user's hair, while at the same time creating a durable hair restraint device that is adaptable for use as a bracelet when compared to those materials typically used for hair ties.

The device 100 is woven into a circular member 102 that is configured to stretch, for at least partially encircling or encapsulating a portion of the hair or a user's limb, e.g., arm or leg. The stretch material is configured to create a tension that can be stretched around a lock of hair or body part, and when released constricts to form a snug fit around, i.e., apply pressure to, the lock of hair or body part. As shown in FIG. 3, the circular member 102 can be seen defining an aperture 300 sized to receive a user's arm. Said another way, the aperture 300 is adaptable, whether in a first position—encapsulating and applying pressure to either the user's arm or hair—or in a second position—encapsulating, but not applying pressure to either the user's arm or hair—to receive a user's arm having a diameter of at least approximately 2 inches. In other embodiments, the aperture 300 is sized to receive diameters greater than approximately 2 inches.

In one alternative embodiment, the circular member 102 detaches at two ends 112, 114 so that the circumference of the circular member can be selectively varied. In this manner, the ends of the circular member may engage each other at various selectable locations. This may be accomplished using a tongue-and-groove system or a friction-based fastening mechanism. The selectable locations that the ends 112, 114 engage depend on the amount of hair that is being tied and how tight the user desires the circular member 102.

In some embodiments, the device 100 includes a first fringe member 108 and a second fringe member 116 extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge 118 and lower edge 120, respectively, of the slender circular member 102. The term “slender” is defined has having a length—spanning from the first end 112 to the second 114—that is greater than or equal to the width 200 (shown in FIG. 2) of the device 100. The slenderness enables the device 100 to be ergonomic and easy to manipulate in combination with a user's hair. In one embodiment, the first and second fringe members 108, 116 define a plurality of apertures so as to generate a less dense material when compared to the slender circular member 102. “Dense,” as it is used herein, is defined as the mass per unit volume of a material. This permits the edge of the device 100, i.e., fringe members 108, 116, to take shape to a user's hair and easily deform when being removed and placed on the user's hair. Again, this further facilitates the device 100 in inhibiting it from being tangled or bunching with a user's hair. To further assist in generating a device 100 that is discrete, both the circular member 102 and the fringe members 108, 116 are substantially planar, or generally flat. In further embodiments, the fringe members 108, 116 also span circumferentially around the slender circular member 102 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In other embodiments, the fringe members 108, 116 may define discontinuous gaps as the members 108, 116 span around the circular member 102.

With reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the circular member 102 is operable to encircle the lock of hair, and also attach to a body part or garment for personal adornment. The circular member 102 includes an inner surface 104, chiefly for engaging or applying pressure to the hair or body part. The stitching 110 occurs in the inner surface 104, where the circular member 102 engages the hair or body part, and therefore is not as visible. The circular member 102 further includes an outer surface 106, chiefly for displaying an ornamental design or other indicia or color. Some hair ties utilize a stitch, or a single turn or circular member of thread or yarn, to assembly different material together. Stitches are the fundamental elements of sewing, knitting, embroidery, crochet, and needle lace-making, whether by hand or machine. A variety of stitches, each with one or more names, are used for specific purposes. A zigzag stitch is a back-and-forth stitch 110 used where a straight stitch will not suffice, such as in reinforcing buttonholes, in stitching stretchable fabrics, and in temporarily joining two work pieces edge-to-edge. Whereas, a straight stitch will not stretch even if sewn onto a stretchy fabric, a zig-zag stitch 110 provides more space for flexibility of the stretch material. Most known hair ties utilize stitching, but their stitching is insufficient to be used in connection with a hair used as both a bracelet used with jewelry.

The fringe members 108, 116 may include, without limitation, print, or charms, or decorative pins, or beads, or studs, or rhinestones, or jewelry, or braided rope, or ribbon, or decorative fabrics. The fringe members 108, 116 displays most effectively from the outer surface 106 of the circular member 102. However, the fringe members 108, 116 may be stitched to the inner surface 104, whereby unsightly stitches are not visible from the outer surface 106. In some embodiments, the fringe members 108, 116 may be placed on the outer surface 106.

The weaving process for fabricating the circular member 102 and adding the fringe members 108, 116 to the circular member 102 may utilize a back-and-forth wide stitch (as shown for the embodiment in FIG. 11 as element 1112). The wide switch allows more play in the fabric, and is less restrictive to the elastic material. The use of a wide stitch, rather than a straight line stitch for example, enables movement between the edges and attachment points in the circular member 102, so that the circular member 102 does not twist or bunch up during operation. Said another way, the placement of the stitching enables the device 100 to stay relatively in a planar configuration while placed in the user's hair or on the user's wrist. This, in turn, enables the device to advantageously display only the outer surface of the device 100. The wide stitch may include, without limitation, a 4-way stitch, a zig-zag stitch, a 3-way stitch, a 3-step zig-zag stitch, a blind hem stitch, a stretch blind stitch, an over lock stitch, and a decorative stitch. However, in other embodiments, additional stitches that allow a stretch material to flex and bend without bunching up or twisting may be utilized. Thereby, the combination of the stretch material and the wide stitch helps inhibit bunching and snagging of the hair while being restrained within the circular member 102. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the wider back-and-forth stitch, such as a zig-zag stitch creates a zig-zag stitching pattern where a straight stitch will not suffice, such as, in stitching stretchable fabrics, in reinforcing buttonholes, and in temporarily joining two work pieces edge-to-edge.

The circumference of the circular member 102 is sufficiently flexible to encircle and securely attach to a wrist, an arm, an ankle, a leg, or a neck of a user. In yet another embodiment, the fringe members 108, 116 may be a lace trim joined with the circular member 102 through stitching. As referenced in FIGS. 6-20, other examples of hair restraint devices 600, 1100, 1600 are shown. More specifically, with reference to FIG. 11, the circular member 1110 may be generally planar and has first and second fringe members 1102, 1104. The first and second fringe members 1102, 1104 can be seen extending away from, and coupled to, upper and lower edges 1106, 1108, respectively, of the slender circular member 1110. The first and second fringe members, 1102, 1104 have a thickness (shown with arrows 1400 in FIG. 14) separating an outer surface and an inner surface (similar to that of FIGS. 1-3) that is greater than an average thickness separating the outer surface and inner surface of the slender circular member 1102. Said another way, the outer fringes of the device 1100 enable the device 1100 to apply pressure to the hair or limb through the outer edges, while the circular member 1102 applies less pressure. This advantageously permits the user to apply and remove the device 1100, while inhibiting the device 1100 from bunching or tangling with the user's hair. FIG. 16 depicts a braided circular member 1602 that further helps inhibit bunching or tangling with a user's hair while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance desirable with a hair tie and a bracelet. The braided design may include two pieces of fabric—of the above-described material—braided to form a helically shaped circular member 1602. Additional designs may be utilized; though all the designs are fabricated from the novel stretch material and may use the wide stitch.

With reference back to FIGS. 1 and 4, in operation, a user gathers an amount of hair desired to be held in an arrangement, such as a pony tail, braid, or dred lock. A lock of hair may be threaded through the aperture 400 of the circular member 102 until the device 100 is in the desired position on the hair. The hair is initially held in place by the elastic tension of the circular member 102. Then, the user encircles the hair with the circular member 102 so that the stretch material can form a snug fit around, i.e., apply pressure to, the desired lock of hair.

In one embodiment, the circular member 102 detaches at two ends so that the circumference can be selectively varied. In this manner, the ends of the circular member 102 may engage each other at various selectable locations. The selectable locations that the ends engage depend on the amount of hair that is being tied and how tight the user desires the circular member 102. When the circular member 102 is in the proper position on the hair, the decorative portions 108, 116 may be visible to others, yet inhibit tangling the hair, when the user desires to remove the member 102.

The device 100 also is operable to form a decorative personal adornment or bracelet, as well as a hair tie. In some embodiments, the circular member 102 may be removed from the lock of hair by stretching outwardly and pulling the lock of hair from the circular member 102. The circular member 102 is then adorned to a desired part of the body or garment. Similarly to the lock of hair, the circular member 102 is stretched to encircle, and then constrict onto the desired body part or garment. For example, without limitation, the device 100 could be worn as a bracelet with the outer surface 106 displaying colorful print. The inner surface 104 could be joined with a charm that also displays on the wrist, adjacent to the colorful print. The device 100 may be interchanged as a hair tie and an ornamental personal adornment, as needed.

In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 16, a jewelry retention member 1604 is coupled to the circular member 1602. Further, the jewelry retention member 1604 has a piece ornamental jewelry 1606 mechanically coupled thereto. This may be through a clasp, clip, or other fastener.

It is a feature of the invention to provide a hair restraint device capable of tying different sizes of hair locks with minimal snagging and bunching with the hair, while also serving as a decorative personal adornment on a body part or garment. In this manner, the device 100 creates a pleasing appearance while blending desirably with the rest of the hair. An ornamental hair restraint device 100 has been disclosed that that inhibits bunching and snagging while restraining a lock of hair, and also serves as an ornamental personal adornment. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair restraint device comprising: a slender circular member: having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends coupled together; defining an aperture sized to receive a user's arm; and of an elastic material with a composition of a range of approximately 80-85% nylon and of a range of approximately 15-20% elastane.
 2. The hair restraint device according to claim 1, wherein: the circular member is substantially planar.
 3. The hair restraint device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge of the slender circular member, the first fringe member defining a plurality of apertures so as to generate a less dense material when compared to the slender circular member; and a second fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, a lower edge of the slender circular member, the second fringe member defining a plurality of apertures to be less dense than the slender circular member.
 4. The hair restraint device according to claim 3, wherein: the first and second fringe members are substantially planar.
 5. The hair restraint device according to claim 3, wherein: the first and second fringe members span circumferentially around the slender circular member.
 6. The hair restraint device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge of the slender circular member, the first fringe member with a thickness separating an outer surface and an inner surface of the first fringe member that is greater than an average thickness separating the outer surface and inner surface of the slender circular member; and a second fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge of the slender circular member, the second fringe member with a thickness separating an outer surface and an inner surface of the second fringe member that is greater than the average thickness separating the outer surface and inner surface of the slender circular member.
 7. The hair restraint device according to claim 6, wherein: the first and second fringe members are substantially planar.
 8. The hair restraint device according to claim 6, wherein: the first and second fringe members span circumferentially around the slender circular member.
 9. The hair restraint device according to claim 1, wherein: the slender circular member is of a braided design.
 10. The hair restraint device according to claim 1, further comprising: a jewelry retention member coupled the slender circular member, the jewelry retention member having ornamental jewelry mechanically coupled thereto.
 11. A hair restraint device comprising: a circular member: having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends coupled together; of an elastic material with a composition of a range of approximately 80-85% nylon and of a range of approximately 15-20% elastane; an inner surface and an outer surface; a first position with circular member encapsulating and applying pressure to at least one of a user's upper or lower limb and a user's hair; and a second position with the circular member not applying pressure to the at least one of a user's upper or lower limb and a user's hair.
 12. The hair restraint device according to claim 11, wherein: the circular member is substantially planar.
 13. The hair restraint device according to claim 11, further comprising: a first fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge of the circular member, the first fringe member defining a plurality of apertures so as to generate a less dense material when compared to the circular member; and a second fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, a lower edge of the circular member, the second fringe member defining a plurality of apertures to be less dense than the circular member.
 14. The hair restraint device according to claim 13, wherein: the first and second fringe members are substantially planar.
 15. The hair restraint device according to claim 13, wherein: the first and second fringe members span circumferentially around the circular member.
 16. The hair restraint device according to claim 11, further comprising: a first fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge of the circular member, the first fringe member with a thickness separating an outer surface and an inner surface of the first fringe member that is greater than an average thickness separating the outer surface and inner surface of the circular member; and a second fringe member extending away from, and coupled to, an upper edge of the circular member, the second fringe member with a thickness separating an outer surface and an inner surface of the second fringe member that is greater than the average thickness separating the outer surface and inner surface of the circular member.
 17. The hair restraint device according to claim 16, wherein: the first and second fringe members are substantially planar.
 18. The hair restraint device according to claim 16, wherein: the first and second fringe members span circumferentially around the circular member.
 19. The hair restraint device according to claim 11, wherein: the circular member is of a braided design.
 20. The hair restraint device according to claim 11, further comprising: a jewelry retention member coupled the circular member, the jewelry retention member having ornamental jewelry mechanically coupled thereto. 